Eat up, Drink up: New England=SEAFOOD!

Ryan and I LOVE to drive up to the New England area every fall. Nothing makes us happier than seeing the foliage, apple picking, staying in our favorite B&B and seeing the local sights. Our favorite town to visit is the lovely & quaint Marblehead, MA. It's a quick drive to bustling Salem and picturesque Rockport (famous for it's paintings of Motif #1). If you need a trip into the "big" city, you're only about an hour or so away from "Bean Town" (Boston). Marblehead is an old fishing town with a convenient location, beautiful views and fantastic restaurants. I highly recommend planning a trip. If you're already from the area...lucky you! You'll likely already know of the following spots Ryan and I consider a must visit if you find yourself in or around the Marblehead area.

For Drinks! MADDIE'S SAIL LOFT. They do not have a website but can be easily found via google. I hear the food is pretty good as well but have never tried it. Their drinks are out of this world strong, large and...CHEAP! $9 gets me an amazing Grey Goose dirty martini with extra olives (say whaaaa?!). You seriously only need one drink from this place and you're set. They also have a nice beer selection and serve them in huge "pint" shaped glasses although they're much larger than a pint. Maddie's has two floors; for dining and a more quiet drinking atmosphere, head upstairs to "Topside". If you just want to booze your face off and watch sports, their street-level floor is just for you!

For Lobster Rolls! THE BARNACLE-http://www.thebarnaclerestaurant.com. This place has an amazing view and outdoor seating. Their menu is very New England with tons of seafood, a killer fried fish sandwich, crispy clams and good ole' clam chowder. My fave menu item is their lobster roll! Big hunks of sweet lobster with a smear of mayo and a little crumbling of celery for crunch. The bun is nice and soft and you get this delectable roll with your choice of side (they have onion rings!). To.die.for.

For Chowder! MY PLACE BY THE SEA-http://myplacebythesea.com. Best New England clam chowder, hands down. Creamy, bacon-y and with a drizzle of flavored oil right on top. My Place By The Sea is actually located in neighboring Rockport, about a 30 minute drive. Totally worth it! This place also gets major points for insanely creative and beautiful plates. The view isn't too shabby either...they're right on the water with tons of outdoor/window seats.

In General! THE LANDING-http://www.thelandingrestaurant.com.We love this place. Great food, waterfront view and amazing service. They also have live music on the weekends, so fun! Everything we've had on the menu is great but I would recommend the Prime Rib and the Lobster Basilico. Ask for Ron or Rory!

For Sleep! HARBOR LIGHT INN-http://www.harborlightinn.com. Voted one of America's most romantic inns, this little gem is located right in the center of Historic Marblehead. The rooms aren't cheap, nor should they be. Every room is lovely. They also have an outdoor pool, little baked treats and tea or lemonade through out the day and some of the best breakfast options I've ever had at a B&B. Everything from spinach and goat cheese quiche to creme brûlée French toast to fresh bagels and lox. YUM!!!

I've heard of a few other good spots that have opened recently...stay tuned next fall for more updates on our fave New England town! For now, please enjoy the following food porn...